Mother, Mother Ocean

So, it's Friday...I say with a heavy sigh.  I have enjoyed my vacation so much with my little family that I literally feel as if I should throw myself on the ground in a tantrum, kicking and screaming, that I refuse to leave this wonderous place.  I used to come to Myrtle Beach as a teenager with my friends family.  I have not been here in about 18 years..give or take.  I have been to many beaches, my parents began taking me when I was about 5 years old.  They don't all look the same, but the feeling you get by being there...or here..is the same.  I can sit and stare at the ocean for hours on end, and never tire from it.  It truly is magnificent, and it effects all of your senses...sight, smell, taste, touch and sound.

Thankfully, this week went by slowly.  We spent five of the seven days of our vacation on the beach.  I found a book that belongs to the home owner of our condo that I thought would be a nice beach read.  It is called Lessons From the Beach Chair by Deb Austin Brown. Once I got settled into my beach chair I began to read this book.  One of the first few lessons really spoke to me...

So, this book really got me thinking about things our earth has to offer, that I never took the time to enjoy. Things that I took for granted.  I decided to do something I have never done before.  I was going to set my alarm to wake me up early the next morning, walk out on the beach, and watch the sun rise.

and...I did just that...

I watched, and I waited, and I splashed in the water as the tide rolled up onto the shore, slightly wetting the bottom of my pajama pants.  I watched people play with their dogs, couples holding hands, joggers, and people just like me...that were simply there to witness the sun rise.

I kept thinking to myself that I can't believe I have never done this before...why have I never gotten out of bed early enough to catch a little glimpse of heaven?

and then....there she was...oh my heavens...

 I will be honest with you...this made me cry...it was so beautiful...majestic, it literally took my breath away..  I gasped as I wiped the tears from my face...

For some reason I was singing Jimmy Buffet's song A Pirate Looks at Forty in my head..

Mother, mother ocean, I have heard you call...

This morning is a morning that I will never forget...I feel truly blessed to be living, breathing...alive...to be witness to one of the most beautiful things this earth has to offer.  This will certainly not be my last sun rise...I only wish it did not take me 35 years to watch my first.

I encourage all of you to pay attention and see what little glimpses of Heaven the earth has to offer you..All you have to do is listen..

Have a beautiful weekend!!

Carrie

MB or Bust

So, I promised you guys that I wanted to blog at least three times a week this summer, and so far I've failed!!!  Whoopsie!!  I've been a busy gal. I went to school again for two more Real Estate Appraisal classes. I am now an official Appraisal trainee. My state license came through Friday. I am so excited for what my future holds, and especially grateful that I have the opportunity to work side by side and gain the knowledge I need from one of the smartest men I know..my Dad!! I know the next few years I will always cherish and I can't explain the feeling I have to finally be moving in the right direction career wise, and also financially. This week my boys and I are heading to Myrtle Beach for some fun in the sun.  Follow my trip through instagram.  My instagram name is iamtreysmom.  Hope you all have a fun and safe weekend!!  

H54F

What a beautiful week we had, and it flew by!!!  Before we know it it will be July, and then before we know it we will be counting down Christmas and wrapping gifts to go under the tree, while watching National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation and A Christmas Story for the 1,596th time...EEEEEK!!!!  There, I said it.  the C word.  It'll seriously be here before we know it folks!

I really hope the remainder of June does not go by quite as fast as the first week.  Here's why...the rest of my June goes a little something like this...School next week...work the next week...vacation the next week...then June is o.v.e.r!!!  So, you can see why I don't want it to go by too quickly...I want to enjoy my vaca with my favorite guys!!

This week I finally got my hair did.  I have been waiting for this day for about 3 weeks.  My hair girl, Lori, is so good that she stays crazy busy all the time.  I got my highlights touched up, my eye brows waxed, and I got some products.  I always get my products from Lori.  Number one they always have what I need, and if they don't have it they will get it for me.  Number 2 they are always a few dollars less than the hair product store in the mall, and others around town, and number 3 they are awesome!

Every summer I get Pravana Leave-in conditioner.  I say summer because I spray this in my hair after getting out of the beach, pool, or lake.  It is a detangler, it will protect your hair from chlorine, it protects your hair from sun damage, it makes your hair soooo soft, and it smells so good you'll want to eat it!  I'm dead serious!!  I want to go spray it now just so I can eat smell it. If you have never tried this before, it is a must for your summer hair regimen!!

I will admit that the spray thing on top is new to me.  For the life of me I could not figure out how to get it to work, and actually broke it off a few times.  It was hilarious...I think I've got it now.  It is a very awkward spray top..The ones I have had before had a normal spray pump..If I have to I may end up just pouring this into my old bottle..

While at the salon I also picked up a sample of Agadir oil.  I got the sample because the regular bottle costs about $36.00, and the sample is $3.00.  You use so little at a time that the sample will end up lasting 2-3 weeks.  I only need it to last me 7 days.  I use this oil on my hair while it is wet, and before I blow dry it.  It will not get frizzy!!!  So, when I know I am going to put my hair in a humid situation aka the beach...I buy a sample of Agadir oil.  My hair loves me for it, and the pictures always turn out way cute!!

I found a new app that allows me to put font on the pictures I have stored in my iPhone library.  It is so much cutesy fun, and I have been going crazy with it ya'll.  I've been putting font on all my pictures.  I think my husband thinks I have lost it..but I can't help it!

Awwww!!!

The app is called Phonto   

and it is FREE!!

I got an email at the beginning of the week telling me that my June Birchbox had shipped.  (yaaay)  I was way excited when I read what the email said..

We've given in to our wanderlust fantasies and put together a collection of samples for all your summer adventures. Whether you're road tripping or beach bumming, we'll help you travel in style. 

I can't wait to get it...It's like they know exactly what I need!!!  I am both road tripping, and beach bumming this month...whoop!!  I'm anxious to hear about your summer boxes too, so tell me what you get in your box!!

I have about 5 recipe blogs that I am planning to post over the next few weeks.  Last night I made a new recipe, and can't wait to blog it.  I should have invited ya'll over for dinner since there was enough food to feed a small village!!  I am totally serious too!!  I had one helping, Kyle and Trey both went back for seconds and thirds...it was delicious, but we had sooo much left over.

Here's a sneak peek...

(I could totally be a spokesperson for Publix brand foods...heehe)

Well folks, that'll do it for this week's H54F...thank you all so much for coming back week after week and reading!!!  Have a wonderful weekend!!

<3

Carrie

Can I get a high five....it's Friday!!

Happy Friday to you!!  It was difficult for me to only choose five of my faves from this week because I skipped a week on my regular Friday post....sooo...I am kinda sharing my top 5 things from the last two weeks....

Last week I attended a class for work.  Loved the class.  I also love meeting new people, and listening to them share their experiences as well as challenges in the field that we are in.  I have been working for the same company for 16 years, and it is certainly never a dull moment.  I love what I do, so to hear others tell their stories made for a fun week out of the office. 

The Clarksville Downtown Market opened up this month.  Have I mentioned before that I L.O.V.E the market?  Trey and I like to get up super early on Saturday mornings and beat the crowds...and the heat.  There are a few tents that are our regular spots to shop, and we now know that if we don't get there early enough they will be sold out.  On opening day we got there about 40 minutes after the market opened, and the bread lady was sold out of what we were after...If you live in Clarksville, or are visiting...you have to check out the market.  It is downtown by the square every Saturday from 8:00 to 1:00.  I am pretty sure it stays open until mid-October.

I was at the mall last week buying cards at the Hallmark store, and decided to browse through Bath and Body Works to see what was new.  Of course, as soon as I walked in a store clerk stopped me and had me sniff their new line.  It is called Malibu Heat.  It smelled soooo good.  The perfect summer scent of citrus mixed with coconut...beachy goodness!!  They had a good enough sale going on that I couldn't resist.  I got some lotion, and then this little travel gift set that came with a lotion, shower gel, and some shimmer spray.  I now use the bag to carry my lip products in my purse.  I got tired of digging in the bottom of my purse every time I needed something, so it was perfect!  You have to check out this new summer scent!!

For my Mom's birthday we had a yummy lunch, and spent the rest of the day sitting around the pool.  It was a beautiful day, and I am so glad that I got to spend it with her.

One of the blogs that I follow mentioned this product not too long ago.  I'm not exactly sure which blog it was, but yesterday when I was standing in the super long line at the grocery store I saw this and I remembered what I had read on the blog. 

It is called Project 7.  For every one product of theirs that you purchase they will plant one fruit tree. I bought this gum (sugar free)...and it tells all about the project on the tube, and also gives you the website to look at.  Trey was confused when I was telling him about it.  He said..."So if I take this tube and plant it a tree will grow??"  Haha...he is so funny!!  They have gum, mints, water (in a bio-degradable bottle), coffee, clothing, etc.  They support causes other than the environment too, check out their website..

www.project7.com

I'm all about saving the EARTH..aren't you? 

Last week my long time friend and her husband came to town for a few days to visit family and friends.  We had a light lunch one afternoon while shopping downtown, and then met our husbands for dinner.  I haven't seen her in a few years so it was a nice visit.  She is having a little boy in the Fall so her in-laws gave her the cutest baby shower while they were here.  So glad that I was able to spend some time with her and her husband!

While we were doing some downtown shopping I finally got my black straw hat that I have been wanting.  The hat is from Fleur de Lis, and the monogram is from Flower Lily. 

 I can't wait to wear it!!

Please excuse my frizzy, curly hair...I took this picture early one morning, so I totally have bed head.

How adorable is this hat!!!??

I will attend my first 5K this weekend with a few friends.  It is a fundraiser for a girl my age that lives in our town. She is an elementary school teacher, and is in the late stages of Lymphoma.  She is a Mother, and as far as I know she is still teaching while suffering from this horrible disease.  When I was asked if I wanted to do it of course I didn't hesitate.  I am honored to show my support, and do  my part to help raise money for this family.

Well, my Friday five, turned into a Friday seven, but who's counting?  I guess that is what I get for skipping out on my blog for an entire week. I hope you all have an amazing weekend!!  Thanks again for being such fabulous readers!!

Carrie